Space Shifters

This major group exhibition brings together sculptures and installations that explore perception and space.

Featuring 20 artists and spanning a period of roughly 50 years, the exhibition includes innovative, minimalist sculpture from the 1960s as well as recent works that extend the legacy of this ‘optical’ minimalism in different ways. It also features new commissions that have been made in response to the architecture of the Hayward Gallery.

Many of the artworks in this exhibition are constructed from translucent materials such as glass, acrylic and polyester resins. Others involve the use of reflective materials, including stainless steel, polished bronze and, in one case, engine oil. Luscious and seductive – and often demonstrating huge technical accomplishment – these objects act as optical devices that enable us to see our surroundings in new and unexpected ways. In bringing together artworks that activate our perception of Hayward’s unique building, Space Shifters provides a dramatic and fitting conclusion to the gallery’s 50th anniversary year.

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Event information

The artworks in this exhibition are extremely fragile. Children must remain closely supervised at all times.

For Richard Wilson's 20:50, queue times of up to one hour are likely during busier periods.

Please note that Sky Mirror, Blue by Anish Kapoor is only visible during daylight hours.

Access

To access the gallery, foyer, cafe and shop, use the JCB Glass Lift (Blue Side Foyers, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall) exit onto Riverside Terrace and use main entrance into Hayward Gallery. All floors are accessible from main foyer. Please use the main foyer lift to access the Gallery Cafe.

Cloakroom

Due to the nature of the Space Shifters exhibition, bags of 40 x 25 x 25 cm and over will not be allowed in the exhibition. A cloakroom is available in the Hayward Gallery foyer at a charge of £1 per item. Items left here are at the owner’s risk and we cannot accept any responsibility for loss or damage from any cause to items left in the cloakroom. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Toilets

Toilets are located in the foyer and inside the gallery. An accessible toilet and gender neutral inclusive toilets are located in the foyer.

​A Changing Places toilet is located on Level 1, Royal Festival Hall, next to the JCB Glass Lift, for the exclusive use of disabled people who need personal assistance to use the toilet. The key for this room is available from the Welcome Hub, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall. The facility includes a height-adjustable bench, tracking hoist system, a centrally-placed toilet, a height-adjustable basin and a shower. For health and safety reasons we do not provide slings. Visitors are asked to bring their own which should be compatible with the loop system. The maximum weight for the hoist and the height adjustable bench is 200kg. The facility is open daily 10am – 11pm.

Parking

Blue Badge holders and those with access requirements can be dropped off on the Queen Elizabeth Hall slip road off Belvedere Road (the road between Royal Festival Hall and Hayward Gallery).

The Hayward car park is now closed to cars. Alternative parking is available nearby at the National Theatre car park (330 metres) and APCOA Cornwall Road Car Park (490 metres), subject to charges. Alternative parking for Blue Badge holders visiting Southbank Centre can be found at the National Theatre car park (330 metres). Just take your badge and car park ticket to Royal Festival Hall Ticket Office on Level 2, for validation before you leave.

Please note: on Sunday when the National Theatre building is closed there is no step-free access from the car park.

Alternative parking for Blue Badge holders visiting Southbank Centre can also be found at the APCOA Cornwall Road Car Park. Just take your badge and car park ticket to the parking attendant office at the entrance to the car park for validation before you leave.

A drop-off point at Royal Festival Hall (30 metres) has been created for visitors who are unable to walk from alternative car parks.

Step-free access maps for the best routes from the National Theatre and APCOA Cornwall Road car parks to Southbank Centre are available.

Tours and Groups

Visit the exhibition in the company of special guests, the exhibition’s curatorial team and Hayward tour guides. Tours take place weekly, on Thursdays at 6.30pm and Saturdays at 2pm, and take approximately 45 minutes.

On all other Thursdays at 6.30pm and Saturdays at 2pm you can explore the exhibition accompanied by one of our Hayward tour guides.

School Groups

Teachers can book free or discounted tickets (call our group ticket line for prices) for a group of up to 30 pupils to visit Hayward Gallery and experience the exhibition on weekdays during exhibition hours (closed Tuesdays).

Private Guided Tours

Looking for a VIP exhibition experience for your group? Private guided tours are available with our experienced Hayward exhibition tour guides. These one-hour tours are available for groups of up to 20 people anytime the gallery is open to the public, and are £100 per group in addition to group exhibition entry.

Group Bookings

Groups of ten people or more can get discounted entry prices for weekday visits when tickets are booked and paid for in advance.